Circuit-interrupter



"PatentedSept. 27, 1921.

C. H. HODGKINS.

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I4, 1918.

. INVENIOR C/ldr/es/i ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE.

HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF VANIA.

PENNSYL- CIRCUIT-INTERRUPTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 27, 1921.

Application filed March 14, 1918. Serial No. 222,474.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. HoncKINs, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny'and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in (Jircuit-Interrupters, of whichthe followin is a specification.

y invention relates to circuit interrupters and particularly to low-voltage tripping devices for double-throw circuit interrupters.

One object of my invention is to provide a single low-voltage releasing device for a double-throw circuit interrupter.

Another object of my invention is to provide a low-voltage releasing device of the above-indicated character that shall have means for automatically retrieving the same when the interrupter is closed.

A further object of my invention is to provide a low-voltage releasing device, of the above-indicated character, that shall be simple and inexpensive to construct and effective in its operation.

In practising my invention, I provide an operating lever arm, a single low-voltage releasing electromagnet and a single pivotally -mounted armature therefor having means for receiving a pin on the lever arm in either of its operative positions. The armature is so constructed that, when the voltage that is applied to the electromagnet falls below a predetermined value, the armature releases the lever arm to permit the interrupter to open. The lever arm is also adapted to cooperate with the armature to reset the same, thus constituting a combined retrieving and low-voltage releasing device.

The single fi re of the accompanying drawing is a si e view, partiall in elevation and partially in section, 0 a doublethrow circuit interrupter embodying my invention.

A circuit interrupter 1 com rises, in general, stationary contact mem ers 2 and 3, movable contact members 4 and 5, an operating lever arm 6, a low-voltage releasing device 7 and a receptacle 8 in which the structure is mounted.

The movable contact members 4 and 5 are mounted upon an operating shaft 9 upon which two dogs 10 and 11 are loosely mounted. A pin 12 is mounted in the receptacle 8 and is adapted to engage one of the faces of each of the dogs 10 and 11, as is also a pin 13 that is mounted on the lever arm 6. A sprlng 14 is disposed between the dogs 10 and 11 for the purpose of biasing the lever arm 6 and, consequently, contact members 4 and 5 toward their open positions.

The low-voltage releasing device 7 comprises a magnetizable core member 15, a single winding 16 and an armature 17 that is pivotally mounted at the central portion 18 of the core member 15. The armature 17 is provided with two hook portions 19 and 20 that are connected by a curved or cam portion 21 and are adapted to receive a pin 22 that is mounted on the lever arm 6.

When the contact members are in the positions shown in the drawing, the pin 13 has moved the dog 11 to such position that the spring 14 tends to move the contact members 4. and 5 to their normal open positions. However, the pin 22 is wedged between the hook portion 20 and the curved portion 21 of the armature 17. When the voltage impressed upon the winding 16 of the electromagnet 7 drops to a' predetermined value, the armature 17 will be released and the same will move in a clockwise direction to thereby release the pin 22 and permit the spring 14 to open the circuit interrupter. v

If it is desired to move the circuit interrupter contact members 4 and 5 to either operative position, the lever arm 6 may be moved by an operating handle (not shown) which is attached to the shaft 9 and, when the lever arm 6 is moved, the pin 22 cooperates with the curved portion 21 of the armature 17 to move the same to a position relatively close to the core member 15 of the electromagnet. When the armature 17 is moved to a position relatively close to the core member 15, it will be attracted thereby and further movement of the lever arm 6 will cause the pin 22 to become wedged between the hook portion of the armature and the curved portion thereof. Since the armature 17 is provided with hook portions that are adapted to engage the pin 22 in either closed position, a single electromagnet may be used to release the contact members under low-voltage conditions in either of its operative positions, and the closing move vment of the arm 6 automatically assists in resetting the same. .By the use of such a device, only a relatively small electromagnet.

ticular structure illustrated, as it may be variously modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a double-throw switch, the combination with an operating lever arm and means for actuating the same, of a single electromagnet, a pivotally-mounted armature therefor, and means on the armature for securing the lever arm in either of its operative positions.

2. In a double-throw switch, the combination with an operating lever arm, of a single electromagnet, and an armature therefor having means for securing the arm in either of its operative positions.

3. In a double-throw switch, the combination with an operating lever, of a single electromagnet, and. a double-throw armature therefor having means cooperating with the lever by which the armature is moved toward its cooperating positions with respect to the magnet.

4. In a double-throw switch, the combination with an operating lever arm, of a single electromagnet, and a double armature therefor shaped and related to the lever arm to secure the latter in its operative positions.

5. In a double-throw switch, the combination with an operating lever arm, of a single electromagnet, and a pivotally-mounted armature therefor having means for securing pin in the lever arm to secure the same pin thereon, of a single electromagnet, an a pivotally-mounted armature therefor having recesses in the ends thereof for engaging the in both of itsoperative positions. 7. In a double-throw switch, the combination with on operating lever arm-having a pin thereon, of a single electromagnet, and a pivotally-mounted armature therefor having recesses in the ends thereof for engaging the pin in the lever arm to secure the same in either of its operative positions when the electromagnet is energized to a predetermined degree.

8. In a double-throw switch, the combination with an operating lever, of a single elec-.

tromagnet, and an armature thenefor so shaped and related to the lever as to be moved by the latter to-operative position and to secure the lever in its operative positions.

9.- In a double-throw switch, the combination with an operating lever arm, of a single low-voltage tripping device for releasing the arm in either of its operative positions, said arm being adapted to cooperate with the releasing device for setting the same to its operative positions. g

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 9th day of March 1918.

CHARLES H. HODGKINS. 

